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Savanna Sisterhood's Latest Initiative

Providing Sanitary Pads to Girls in Need

Our latest initiative at Savanna Sisterhood focuses on providing sanitary pads to girls in need. We recognize the vital importance of menstrual hygiene management in enabling girls to attend school regularly and pursue their education without interruption. Through this initiative, we aim to address the challenges faced by girls who lack access to proper menstrual products, empowering them to stay in school and reach their full potential. 
 

We are deeply committed to ensuring that no girl is left behind due to the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. With your support, we can expand our reach and provide sanitary pads to more girls in need. Together we can empower these girls, break down barriers to education, and create a brighter future for all. Join us in our mission to uplift, support, and advocate for the rights and well-being of girls in underserved communities.

Our Current Impact

500

Dollars Donated (USD)

20

Sanitary Packs Made

20

Girls Impacted

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Here at Savanna Sisterhood, we are dedicated to empowering women, preserving wildlife, and making a lasting impact in Maasai communities. We strongly believe that education is the key to unlocking an individual’s full potential and are committed to providing women opportunities for education, empowerment, and change. As part of our commitment to female education, we are working to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of girls attending school. This has led us to a new initiative: providing sanitary pads to girls in need. Access to proper menstrual hygiene products is necessary to ensure that girls can fully participate in their education and pursue their dreams.

As part of this new initiative, we have partnered with seven schools in Rwanda that are all in critical need of sanitary packs for their female students. Many girls in these communities face significant challenges when it comes to managing their menstrual cycles. Lacking access to proper sanitary products due to insufficient financial resources, these female students are often forced to stay at home during their periods, missing out on important lessons in school which hinders their academic progress and future educational and employment prospects.

To address this issue, Savanna Sisterhood is working to bridge this gap by providing sanitary pads to girls in need. Each pack costs $25 and includes two pairs of underwear and six reusable pads, all packed together in a fabric purse. These packs are handmade by a local non-profit called Muhisimbi Voice of Youth, who employs teenage mothers in the surrounding communities. By providing sanitary packs in partnership with this organization, we are supporting female students and young mothers alike, fostering a cycle of female empowerment and sustainability within the communities. 

Together with the Muhisimbi Voice of Youth, we are determined to break down barriers and create a brighter future for girls in Rwanda. By supporting our sanitary pads initiative, you are not only providing these girls with the means of managing their menstrual health but also contributing to their overall well-being, education, and success. 

When girls are educated and empowered, they become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond. When women are given the tools and resources they need to succeed, they can break free from the cycles of poverty, challenge societal norms, and drive meaningful progress. 

Education has the power to change the world, and we are honored to be a part of that transformative journey. Through our focus on female empowerment, we are creating a network of change makers. 

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Each pack costs $25 and includes two pairs of underwear and six reusable pads, all packed together in a fabric purse.

Donate now and be a part of the Savanna Sisterhood movement to empower women, preserve wildlife, and create a brighter future for all.

When making a donation, please add a comment stating "Sanitary Project Rwanda – Ingrid Baas" to ensure that your donation is used towards providing sanitary pads to girls in need.

"Menstruation made it difficult for me and other female students to go to school because of a lack of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and sanitary pads. Therefore, we would rather stay at home and end up missing classes. Because of my family's financial situation, I am unable to regularly purchase disposable sanitary pads."

- Mintewab Haile, a fourteen-year-old sixth grader

Providing sanitary pads to girls is of utmost importance, as it has a direct impact on their school attendance, educational outcomes, and overall well-being. 

1. According to a report by VOA News, in Malawi, a study conducted by the Ministry of Education found that when girls were provided with free sanitary pads, their school attendance improved significantly. The study showed that attendance rates increased from 71% to 89% among girls who received sanitary pads. 

 

2. The World Bank highlighted in a blog post that globally, the lack of access to menstrual hygiene management, including sanitary pads, is a significant factor contributing to girls' absenteeism from school. It is estimated that around 10 to 20% of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their menstrual cycles, leading to a considerable loss of educational opportunities. 

 

3. A study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) revealed that providing sanitary pads alongside menstrual health education had a positive impact on school attendance. After three months of implementation, the attendance rates significantly improved among girls who received pads with education compared to those who did not. This indicates the crucial role of menstrual hygiene support in promoting regular school attendance. 

 

4. UNICEF shared a success story from Ethiopia, where providing sanitary pads to girls in schools resulted in increased class attendance. The initiative helped reduce absenteeism among girls by 35%, emphasizing the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene needs to ensure their consistent presence in classrooms.  

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How can YOU Support the Movement:

  1. Make a Donation to the Muhisimbi Voice of Youth: Contribute financial resources to organizations and initiatives dedicated to the cause. This helps purchase and distribute pads, establish sustainable mestrual hygiene programs, and educate girls about menstrual health. 

  2. Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to organizations committed to this cause. You can volunteer to assist with fundraising efforts, organize donation drives, or participate in awareness campaigns to promote menstrual hygiene and break the stigma surrounding menstruation.

  3. Advocate: Raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene and the challenges faced by girls in accessing sanitary pads. Use your voice to advocate for policy changes, funding allocations, and educational programs that prioritize menstrual health and support girls' rights.

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